Parents angry as school transport price rise wipes out tax incentive
Parents paying for school transport are angry after one of the van companies raised its prices to such an extent that tax rebates meant to encourage parents to use the vans have become irrelevant.
The government introduced a tax credit of up to €150 in the 2014 Budget (depending on number of children). Now, those using Coop Services Ltd are complaining that the increase in its prices have rendered the incentive useless.
The parents who complained claimed the price increases varied between €50 and €70 per child. They questioned what could justify this, given the decrease in fuel prices in recent months.
“Some years ago, when fuel prices were increasing drastically, they had the right to increase their fees, but now? It’s shameful,” one parent said.
Another parent said that while he would be getting a rebate of €100, following the price change he would have to fork out an additional €70.
Reacting to the complaints, a spokesman for the company confirmed the price increase and said that this had nothing to do with the government’s incentive.
“The allegation that the increase is equivalent to the tax rebate is being wholly refuted and any similarity which there may be between the two...